Video game mask

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a video game mask that facilities display of game instructions and/or static graphics. A thin pliable plastic shell conforms to the shape of a video game controller. The shell serves as a mask that supports video game instructions and/or static graphics. Typical video games currently on the market are XBOX, SONY PLAYSTATION, and NINTENDO GAMECUBE. Instructions are mounted on the shell. The instructions inform the game user what functions are performed by each actuator button of the controller. The shell permits the actuator buttons of the controller to be operated from outside the shell so the shell remains in place and the instructions are displayed during game play.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]FIG. 1 shows a transparent shell designed to envelope thecontroller of an XBOX and its actuator buttons. The shell is injectionor vacuum molded from thin plastic that conforms to the controller shapeand has a visor extending forwardly toward a game console. In addition,the edges of the shell preferably wrap partially around the edges, andpossibly the bottom, of the controller to secure the shell in place.Alternatively, the shell could be designed to attach to the shell byadhesive tape or the like.

[0002]FIG. 2 shows the transparent shell lying above an XBOX controller.Specifically, the shell has raised portions in registration with theprotruding actuator buttons of the controller so as to receive theactuator buttons in a form-fitting manner. The raised portions permitthe actuator buttons to be operated from outside the shell. Thecontroller and its IR transmitter are visible through the transparentshell.

[0003]FIG. 3 shows the XBOX controller without a shell.

[0004] In FIG. 4 the shell is fitted over on the XBOX controller. As aresult, the shell envelopes the controller and its actuator buttons withessentially no space between the them. As a result, the shell does notimpair the sensitivity or responsiveness of the actuators buttons. Theshell protrudes beyond the front of the controller, where the IRtransmitter is located. The IR signal penetrates the shell on its way tothe game console. The front visor portion of the shell, which is rigidenough to serve as a cantilever from the front of the controller,provides a surface for game instructions. Instead of raised portions,openings could be formed in the shell to permit the actuator buttons tobe operated from outside the shell. The game instructions could bepainted, printed, or cemented on the front portion of the shell. Thus,the game instructions and the actuator buttons on the controller areboth visible to the game player. Preferably, the background on the visorportion is painted or otherwise made to blend with the background on theunderlying controller.

[0005]FIG. 5 shows the transparent shell molded to fit the GAMECUBEcontroller. The shell conforms to the shape of the controller. Toprovide a snug fit, the shell preferably has a pocket into which thecontroller fits. As in the shell for XBOX, this shell has raisedportions in registration with the protruding actuator buttons of thecontroller so as to receive the actuator buttons in a form-fittingmanner. As a result, the shell envelopes the controller and its actuatorbuttons with essentially no space between the two and the shell does notimpair the sensitivity of the actuators buttons. The shell also has afront visor portion that protrudes beyond the front of the controller,where an IR transmitter is located. The IR signal can penetrate theshell on its way to the game console. The front portion of the shellprovides a surface for game instructions.

[0006]FIG. 6 shows the transparent shell molded to fit the PLAYSTATIONcontroller. The shell conforms to the shape of the PLAYSTATIONcontroller. To provide a snug fit, the shell preferably has a pocketinto which the controller fits. As in the shell for XBOX and GAMECUBE,this shell has raised portions in registration with the protrudingactuator buttons of the controller so as to receive the actuator buttonsin a form-fitting manner. As a result, the shell envelopes thecontroller and its actuator buttons with essentially no space betweenthe two and the shell does not impair the sensitivity of the actuatorsbuttons. The shell also has a front visor portion that protrudes beyondthe front of the controller, where an IR transmitter is located. The IRsignal can penetrate the shell on its way to the game console. The frontvisor portion of the shell provides a surface for game instructions.

[0007] In each case, the instructions preferably comprise color coded(e.g., circular) markers and instructions for operating the actuatorbuttons that match the colors of the actuator buttons as illustrated inFIGS. 4 to 6.

[0008]FIG. 7 shows another transparent shell adapted for the PLAYSTATIONcontroller. In this case, most of the shell, except for the portionsoverlying the acutator buttons, bear static graphics related to thetheme of the game, in this case “Spiderman”, in addition to gameinstructions.

[0009]FIG. 8 illustrates how multiple instruction sheets can be used oneat a time to match the particular game being played or the game level. Asingle shell is molded with a surface that receives the selectedinstruction sheet and holds it by means of static electricity orreleasable tape. Alternatively the shell is molded with registrationguides that accept instruction sheets one at a time.

[0010]FIG. 9 shows in sequential steps how a controller is inserted in apocket shaped shell. The pocket has an opening at its visor end (facingupward) for receiving the controller. As shown on the left, the shellapproaches the controller in the direction of the arrow. As shown in themiddle, the shell slides into the open end of the pocket. As shown onthe right, the controller is fully contained in the pocket in theinstalled position of the shell.

[0011] With regard to the intrinsic look and feel of the GAMESKINitself, the following can be accomplished:

[0012] GAMESKIN's can be clear or solid in color either by painting,printing, silk screening or by using solid colored plastic in thevacu-forming or injection molding process.

[0013] GAMESKIN's can be branded with advertising; information on gameplay, game theme, logos etc., via the methods described above.

EXAMPLES

[0014] SONY PICTURES could use the Spiderman theme to create a skin forthe Spiderman Sony Playstation Game that incorporates the look and feelof the Spiderman Property along with instructions on game play. Seeincluded comp given to you last week.

[0015] The NFL or other franchises—could create GAMESKINS for all teamswith team logos.

[0016] McDonalds could team with motion picture companies and give awaya co-branded GAMESKIN, which includes their logo, with meal purchase.

[0017] With regard to the instructions on the GAMESKIN, instructions maybe:

[0018] Painted/printed/silk screened on the skin.

[0019] Vacu-formed in raised letters imbedded into the plastic.

[0020] Painted/printed/silk screened on vinyl or plastic pieces, whichare held in place via static electricity or magnets.

[0021] Painted/printed/silk screened on separate cards, which can slideinto grooves on the skin. This would allow the user to interchangedifferent instruction cards for different games via one GAMESKIN or forvarious levels of play and complexity via a branded GAMESKIN.

[0022] The described embodiment of the invention is only considered tobe preferred and illustrative of the inventive concept; the scope of theinvention is not to be restricted to such embodiment. Various andnumerous other arrangements may be devised by one skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mask for a video game controller having aplurality of actuators, the mask comprising: a thin plastic shell thatconforms to the shape of the controller; means permitting the actuatorsto be operated from outside the shell; and a visible actuator guidemounted on the shell to facilitate game play.
 2. The mask of claims 1,in which the permitting means comprises openings in the shell inregistration with the actuators.
 3. The mask of claim 1, in which theguide visually identifies game influencing functions of the actuators.4. The mask of claim 1, in which the guide has a first visible columnthat identifies the actuators and a second visible column thatidentifies game influencing actuator functions, the columns beingaligned with each other.
 5. The mask of claim 1, additionally comprisingmeans for releasably securing the shell to the controller.
 6. The maskof claim 5, in which the securing means comprises flexible integral sidepanels on the shell that curl around the controller.
 7. The mask ofclaim 1, in which the guide is mounted on the shell with adhesive. 8.The mask of claim 1, in which the guide is secured to the shell byimpressions on the surface of the shell.
 9. The mask of claim 1,additionally comprising a guide holder on the shell, the guide beingmounted on the shell in the guide holder.
 10. The mask of claim 9,additionally comprising one of more other guides that can be substitutedfor the guide in the holder.
 11. The mask of claim 1, in which a majorportion of the shell is rigid and the permitting means comprisesresilient portions of the shell in registration with the actuators. 12.The mask of claim 1, in which the shell is imprinted with an imagesuggestive of the game.
 13. A set of masks for a video game controllerhaving a plurality of actuators, each mask corresponding to a differentvideo game, each mask comprising: a thin plastic shell that conforms tothe shape of the controller; means permitting the actuators to beoperated from outside the shell; and a visible actuator guide unique toeach video game mounted on the shell to facilitate use of thecontroller.
 14. The mask of claim 1, in which each shell is imprintedwith game instructions with a different image suggestive of the game towhich its mask corresponds.
 15. The mask of claim 14, in which theactuators are color coded and the guides identify actuator functionsthat are color coded to correspond to the actuators.
 16. A method forhuman operation of a video game controller having a plurality ofactuators, the method comprising: placing a shell over the controller;attaching to the shell a guide relating the actuators to game functions;and operating the actuators to play the game while viewing the guide.